(Continued) ...
Neal and Michel state the two basic axioms for understanding ancient measurement systems:
1) The ancients grouped units of length into "families" connected with one another by the means of whole-number ratios. These ratios are based upon a root measure for which the length always relates to the measure of an average human foot.
2) These "families" of units form a set of precise fractions for the three principal dimensions of the Earth, including a) the Polar Radius, which extends from the Center of the Earth to the North or South Pole; b) the Meridian Circumference, which circles the Earth as it passes through both of the Poles; and c) the (slightly bulged) Equatorial Circumference along the Equator, halfway between the two Poles.
In respect to these axioms, we need to consider the work of Claudius Ptolemy, the Greco-Roman geographer of the Second Century CE. Ptolemy calculated a one-degree arc of the Earth as a measure that converts to 69.12 English Furlong Miles. His measurement remains the current value for one degree along the Meridian Circumference of 24,860 miles. (Our planet shape, caused by the flattening at the Poles, is called an oblate spheroid.) Furthermore, the First-Century Roman philosopher and geographer Pliny the Elder calculated the Polar Radius as a measure that converts exactly to 3949.71 miles--a figure almost identical to our modern estimate of 3950 miles.
In elementary school, we learned (but perhaps forgot) that our Earth does not have the shape of a true sphere. Rather, our planet is an ellipsoid that bulges somewhat at the Equator. In his book "Ancient Metrology" (Pentacle Books, 1981), John Michel identifies the ancient measure of the Equatorial Circumference as being equal to 24,901 miles.
This observation suggests that our ancient ancestors possessed the knowledge of this peculiarity. Furthermore, Heath and Michel demonstrate in The Lost Science of Measuring the Earth that Ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman measurements all produce very precise determinations of this same circumference. The above information suggests that the great minds of more than two millennia not only understood the spherical nature of our Earth, but could measure its size accurately.
In the Seventeenth Century, the French astronomer Jean Picard measured the value of one degree of latitude by assessing the distance between Amiens and Malvoisine in France. In turn, English polymath Sir Isaac Newton employed the Egyptian Sacred Cubit (about 2.07 English feet) from the elbow to the middle fingertip to determine the radius of the Earth.
At that time, these two scientists did the best measurement that they could with tools available. We must accept that the Earth is spherical in order to measure its latitude. Our task-with more advanced technology than that possessed by Picard and Newton-remains to measure the Culmination Angles of the stars (these being the highest points observed as we look due south) more accurately.
Though currently we do not know what methods or instruments were used by ancient cultures, the locations of many sacred sites around the world suggest that the placement of these sites was more than accidental. During a BBC television interview in 1970, the Scottish engineer Dr. Alexander Thom supported this hypothesis. He noted that the builders of Stonehenge could split a "minute of arc" (as in degree, minutes, and seconds), stating, "That's better than what can be done in modern surveying."
To measure the difference as North-South Longitude between any two points on the Earth requires two conditions:
1) Both observers must establish the same moment in time- synchronicity, and
2) They must make their observations of the sky at two different locations simultaneously.
One simple technique that Bronze Age humans may have used relies upon the observation of the first moment of the Earth's shadow across a full Moon during a lunar eclipse. This moment varies by position of longitude in a manner that is measurable by the naked human eye. As with latitude, accurate measurement of angles remains necessary for calculating the difference between longitudes.
In our modern age, we know that the most accurate measurement of angles comes from the development of trigonometry. Heath and Michel point out that "some of the earliest cuneiform tablets from Babylonia demonstrate that the required trigonometry was established prior to 2000 BCE. The ancients were well-nigh obsessed with the measurement of angles and research into geometry-a word which today is often taken to mean the creation and analysis of shapes, yet actually means 'measuring the world'; Geo-metry." Therefore, given a root measure (such as a foot or a cubit) of any number of ancient linear-measurement systems and, given the principal dimensions of the Earth, the resulting measures and dimensions serve to establish the relationship between any set of temples, pyramids, or mounds. Furthermore, these measures and dimensions establish the distances between these structures and the planetary location at which they have been placed. Heath and Michel describe the use of these measures and dimensions as "applied Sacred Geometry, a high consciousness meld of science, art, and magic." In other words, this is not a mere leisure activity. (See last month's episode in the Legal News for a discussion of Sacred Geometry.)
Ancient cultures used some form of Sacred Geometry to help them to survive everyday life. Their basic geometry allowed them to track the movement of the Sun, the Moon, and the then-five visible planets against the night sky with great accuracy. In turn, they used their observations to calculate the time to plant, to gather, to hunt, and to fish. Furthermore, such knowledge of time, place, and changes allowed these ancients to monitor and to predict major changes in climate that might force them to migrate closer to the Equator. Finally, their command of Sacred Geometry provided them with a means to communicate with their deities. As a result, applied Sacred Geometry constitutes the tool that we will use to explore the curious alignments of the Earth and the mysteries that lie beyond them.
From our study of ancient surveying and geodetics, we arrive at an understanding of the placement of various ancient temples, pyramids, and mounds around the world. For example, the Egyptians built the Pyramids of Giza at the latitude of virtually thirty degrees, north (29 degrees, 58 min 34 sec).
This location marks a point that sits at one-third of the distance from the Equator to the North Pole while identifying the midpoint of the land masses on our planet. In addition, Thebes, the capital city of the Old Kingdom of Egypt, and Avebury Henge in England both situate precisely at points that measure two-sevenths and four-sevenths of the distance from Equator to Pole respectively. For the early Egyptians, the Temple of Amun constituted the geodetic center from which all distances in the kingdom were measured. In England, the latitude band calculated as 360/7 passes through the middle of the Avebury Henge and its ruined stone circle-currently recognized as the largest in the world.
Takeaway
Real Estate Law requires precise and comprehensible measures of all of the areas of our planet. Throughout history, many systems have been applied in the quest for greater accuracy in assigning ownership rights. Nevertheless, these measurement systems continue to vary across the Earth. Over many millennia, thousands of different measuring systems have appeared. The measures and methods that we use today germinated in the distant past. In this brief history, we have covered the big picture of these Real Estate tools.
In our next episode, we will look at some alignments from antiquity, such as the specific interrelationships of ancient structures to the North Pole and six other locations that intersect along the 47th degree of longitude. We will explore the possible reasons and methods used for these alignments over an extended period of millennia. We will look at ancient settlements and structures throughout the world, including eight in the State of Michigan. We will apply this knowledge to our modern means of measuring Real Estate at large.
In addition, we will address the local methods used today for certification in Real Estate Law in both urban and rural locations. Within this study, we will continue to connect to elements of the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act 451 of 1994, Aboriginal-Records-and-Antiquities-and-Abandoned-Property and additional acts.
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Dr. John F. Sase teaches Economics at Wayne State University and has practiced Forensic and Investigative Economics for twenty years. He earned a combined M.A. in Economics and an MBA at the University of Detroit, followed by a Ph.D. in Economics from Wayne State University. He is a graduate of the University of Detroit Jesuit High School (www.saseassociates.com).
Gerard J. Senick is a freelance writer, editor, and musician. He earned his degree in English at the University of Detroit and was a supervisory editor at Gale Research Company (now Cengage) for over twenty years. Currently, he edits books for publication (www.senick-editing.com).
Julie G. Sase is a copyeditor, parent coach, and empath. She earned her degree in English at Marygrove College and her graduate certificate in Parent Coaching from Seattle Pacific University. Ms. Sase coaches clients, writes articles, and edits copy (royaloakparentcoaching.com).
